Veiled Fae (Fractured Fae 2)

“Absolutely it is,” he laughs, pulling me into a hug.

Gerwyn studies me with an intense fascination, finally speaking his mind when Bo releases me. “What does it feel like when you use your magic? Most fae have basic skills with their court elements, and some have an affinity. You seem to be able to bend magic to your will, it's unlike anything I’ve seen before. Even Maddox said you were able to repair Lilly with your magic instead of the healers having to stitch her. That shouldn’t be possible."

“My magic is stored somewhere in me, like a well. When I need to use it, I bring my magic to the surface then I direct it. I focus on the task then my magic just sort of does it. It requires a lot of concentration and I have a fairly good imagination so maybe that helps. But the cleaner the picture in my mind is, the better it performs," I try to explain. “It sounds crazy I know, but that’s how it works for me.”

“You’re a mind bender," Bowen says in awe. I raise my eyebrow at him. That’s a new term for me.

Gerwyn answers my internal question before I can voice it. “It’s an incredibly rare affinity. Mind benders are exactly as they sound, they use their mind to bend their magic to do what they choose. There is very little they cannot do with magic, and no elemental barriers stand in their way. If you have it and are bolstered by each of our magical essence as well, you’ll be the most powerful fae that has ever existed," Gerwyn sound

s positively giddy at the thought. He’s even looking at me like I’m an intriguing research study, and I don’t like it.

“Rein in that nerdiness Wyn, you’re freaking me out," Jacob jokes, though I could tell from his tone it isn’t really a joke.

“I’m sorry, it’s just unheard of. Not only do you get all of that, but you may get some of our magic as well. For example, you communicate with your mouse already, that’s a Spring specific skill," he gushes in excitement.

“I can’t believe we didn’t realize this earlier. How many small tasks has she done right in front of us," Maddox says, clearly bothered he hadn’t realized. I just thought I was doing what they instructed, not anything special.

“We just accept her and aren’t surprised when she does new and impressive things anymore. She’s full of surprises and has been doing magical feats since we met," Emrick says it so matter-of-fact, clearly not seeing it as a big deal like the others because he already thought I was so special. I don’t think he even realizes how damn sweet that is.

“Emrick is a closet romantic and doesn’t even realize it," Bowen rolls his eyes at his friend.

“It was super romantic. Bella, I’m impressed. You get a little bit of everything in this little harem of yours. Tell me, which one is the dominant?” Jacob teases.

“I guess we do have a bit of a harem," I crack up at his comment, loving how it sounds. He looks at me expectantly and the others all look away in embarrassment. Leave it to Jacob to be forward. I discreetly nod at Gerwyn and Jacob loses it, which makes me laugh even harder.

“Can we move on, now?” Maddox grumbles.

“Don’t be embarrassed Maddox, you probably have the biggest d…” I cut Jacob off with a jab to the ribs. He wheezes at me and glares.

“Stop it or I’m going to tell them about that time at the bar, with the...” He clamps a hand over my mouth before I can spill his embarrassing story.

“You promised," he says in horror. The pointed look I give him has him holding up his hands in defense. “Fine, fine. I’ll behave," his voice is pained at the thought of behaving himself, which has Bowen snickering at his expense. Jacob better watch it, I’m pretty sure Bowen can give him a run for his money.

“I’ll need to know that story," Bowen says, looking between the two of us. “You two are already out of control, I’d hate to see what embarrassing looks like.”

“I think we have a stone to find, don’t be childish," Jacob chides, giving me a wink that Bo can’t see as he walks past. It takes everything I have to not laugh and give him away.

“Is he fuckin’ serious?” Bowen whispers, a look of pure indignation on his face. I keep my face blank as I enter behind Jacob.

“Yes, let’s go. We have a realm to save, Bo!” I say with impatience. A chorus of confused grumbling comes from behind us. Jacob and I look at each other and barely hold back laughter as we walk up the winding staircase to the room above.

They seriously need to figure out sarcasm.

The room we enter is a trophy room. The rounded walls are decorated with mounted heads, war maps, and an oversized portrait of the king himself. As we step further into the room, a fire roars to life in the fireplace, casting a warming glow across the room.

We thought we’d found his room before, but this is obviously where the king escaped to. The entire space is a creepy den of inequities and I hate everything about it.

A huge red carpet lines the floor, somehow clean after all this time. Yet another high-backed armchair sits in front of the fireplace, apparently he had a collection of them, one for each space he occupied.

It would be cozy if not for the pompous chair and creepy decor. Hundreds of mounted creatures line the walls, mouths contorted in various degrees of pain and outrage. There’s dried blood on the fur of some, like he left it there as a reminder to his alleged prowess.

“Well, that was a cool trick," Jacob gestures to the self-lighting fireplace. “Magic is so badass." I nod in agreement.

“It’s a bit gruesome in here." Bowen sounds equally as disgusted as he steps into the room.

“Whoa," Emrick says in awe. Bowen, Jacob and I all turn to him and he shrugs, unapologetic. “What? The number of beasts up there would take a whole lot of work and skill to kill.” I wrinkle my nose at him but don’t say anything more...out loud. Did he just compliment the fucking King of Winter?!

“Knowing the asshole king, he probably froze them first. Hardly impressive," Jacob frowns at the thought.